Load suspension apparatus and related methods



g- 1965 s. v. GIARDINA LOAD SUSPENSION APPARATUS AND RELATED METHODS Filed March 8, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

244/472-0215 G/AiPD/N/7 Aug. 24, 1965 s. v. GIARDINA LOAD SUSPENSION APPARATUS AND RELATED METHODS Filed March 8, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w it ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,201,906 LOAD SUSPENSION APPARATUS AND RELATED METHODS Salvatore Vincent Giardina, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignor of one-half to Pasquale Fichera, Brooklyn, N.Y. Filed Mar. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 178,439 9 Claims. (Cl. 52-39) This invention relates to load suspension apparatus and to associated methods and is more particularly concerned with improved techniques for suspending large loads from frangible overhead structures of masonry and the like.

A principal object of the invention is to provide improved techniques whereby the load supporting characteristics of masonry structures and the like are vastly improved.

A further object of the invention is to insure against failure in load suspending mechanisms by the use of simple and economical improvements.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved technique which does not require the passing of a suspending structure completely through the associated supporting structure so that orientation of suspension location is greatly facilitated.

Yet another object of the invention is to make optimum use of related suspension apparatus components by advantageously dissipating displacement forces therein in shear as will become hereinafter apparent.

Still a further object of the invention is to employ vertical suspension components in such a manner that they provide horizontal reaction components for improving associated safety factors.

' Another object of the invention is to make hanger structures slip and failure proof.

A further object of the invention is to avoid the need for drilling through floors and the like for the purpose of mounting hangers therefrom, thus avoiding the need for refinishing and/or repairing such floors.

A still further object of the invention is to achieve with the use of pins an assurance against failure which is not normally achieved by the use of steel concrete inserts which the pins replace.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide means for effectively putting concrete structures and the like in compression to improve the load supporting characteristics thereof.

Briefly, the invention contemplates a technique whereby a hanger bracket or the like is fastened to an overhead structure by such means that the tendency of the bracket to be pulled away from the overhead structure by a load on said bracket is resolved into vertical and horizontal forces, the latter of which is applied to a vertical member or the like in shear so that an optimum resistance to displacement of the bracket is provided.

In accordance with one object of the invention, the aforenoted horizontal force is transmitted to the vertical member through the intermediary of the bracket itself. However, according to a still further object of the invention, the transmission of the horizontal force may be effected through a member which is physically separate from the bracket.

According to still a further feature of the invention, there may be provided a supplemental member for transmitting at least a part of this horizontal force and this supplemental member may, according to a particular embodiment of the invention, be employed to further hold a fastening member in place, as will become hereinafter apparent.

The invention contemplates preferably the use of one or more inclined pins or like fastening members whereby the resolving of load forces into its horizontal and its vertical components may be readily accomplished and,

according to one embodiment of the invention, there may be associated with such inclined pins vertically disposed bolts or the like accommodated in expansion shields provided with bores in the associated overhead structure.

According to still another object of the invention, a special means can be provided for putting masonry structure into compression whereby the strength of the structure and resistance to fracture or deterioration is greatly improved.

In accordance with still another feature of the invention, a disc-like structure is provided on a load bearing member in such a manner as to resist the withdrawal of inclined pins out of the associated bores provided in the related overhead structure.

Yet another feature of the invention relates to the particular arrangement of load bearing members relative to the associated inclined and vertical fastening members, whereby failure due to large loads may be substantially completely avoided.

Other objects and features, as well as advantages, of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention wherein are employed inclined and vertical fastening members and a means for resisting removal of at least one of these members from the associated bore;

FIGURE 2 illustrates, in side view, a further embodiment of the invention wherein one of the fastening members is fixed to the associated bracket;

FIGURE 3 illustrates, in side view, still another embodiment of the invention wherein the element for transmitting at least a part of the aforenoted horizontal force is separable from the associated bracket;

FIGURE 4 is a side view of still another embodiment of the invention wherein is provided an element for placing the associated concrete structure under compression; and

FIGURE 5 is illustrative of still another embodiment of the invention wherein is provided a special element for avoiding withdrawal of one of the associated fastening members.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG- URE 1 comprises, generally a bracket 10, a load suspension member 12 and fastening elements 14 and 16. An auxiliary element 18 is also provided for purposes which will become hereinafter apparent.

The purpose of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1 is to provide means for suspending a load (not shown) from an overhead masonry structure 20 which may be constituted by concrete or the like.

At the outset of the description of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, it is to be noted that the fastening elements of this embodiment do not pass completely through the overhead structure 20, al though this is a possibility, if necessary. However, the fact that the fastening elements do not pass completely through overhead structure 20 clearly facilitates locating the hanger arrangement in that it is unnecessary to drill through structure 20 from above whereby the need for repairing the upper surface of structure 20, which may constitute a floor, is avoided.

More particularly, element 10 is a knee bracket fabricated of steel, or a like metal having suitable strength, element 10 comprising a horizontal arm 22 and a vertical arm 24, said arms being perpendicularly related and defining an angle of therebetween. This arrangement is preferable. However, other angles may be substituted in a situation where the structure 20 presents an inclined lower surface, it being generally preferred that the arm 24 be arranged in vertical disposition. It will be noted with bores 102 and 104 respectively and sleeves 116 and 118 respectively.

Inasmuch as heads 11!) and 112 are generally arranged at right angles to the associated pins, the free surfaces or extremities thereof, which are fiat, also define angles of 45. The purpose of these angles will become hereinafter apparent.

Threadably and detachably afiixed to plate 114 and centered between the aforesaid sleeves and pins is a threaded bolt 124 on which is loosely accommodated a disc 126 having a central bore 128, the diameter of which exceeds the outer diameter of threaded bolt 124. The disc 126 is generally in the form of a truncated cone having a base angle of 45 such that its inclined peripheral surface 131) is adapted to engage flatly against the free extremities of heads 111) and 112 of pins 106 and 108.

A nut 132 is threadably engaged on the lower extremity of bolt 124 and urges disc 126 outwardly against heads 11%) and 112.

According to this embodiment of the invention, the disc 126 resists axial displacement of pins 106 and 1418 downwardly out of bores 102 and 1114, each pin acting in opposition to displacement of the other of said pins. Moreover, bolt 124 constitutes a vertical element to which the horizontal vectors of the downward movement of pins 166 and 1198 are applied perpendicularly or in shear.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a load supporting member (not shown) can be threadably afiixed to the lower extremity of bolt 124.

The aforesaid device avoids the use of expanded metal shields and an applied load is equally distributed by inclined pins 106, 198 into the associated masonry.

In this and in the aforesaid embodiments of the invention, the required bores in the masonry can be provided by using the inclined sleeves as drill guides. Al ternatively, a drilled fixture can be held in position with an expansion shield and bolt.

A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein is included an element adapted for placing the associated masonry under compression.

More particularly, in FIG. 4, there are provided pins 141) and 142 driven into associated bores and arranged at approximately 22 /2 from the vertical. A plate 144 is provided having thereon inclined sleeves 146 and 148, there also being provided a detachable bolt 150 in vertical disposition and depending downwardly from plate 144.

In this embodiment of the invention a disc 152 having inclined surfaces 154 and 156 is urged upwardly against the ends of pins 140 and 142 by means of a nut 158.

In addition, there is provided a disc 1% urged downwardly by a nut 162 against the inner surfaces of pins 141) and 142 so that these pins tend to pivot with the sleeves 146 and 148 acting as fulcra. It will be understood that sleeves 146 and 148 can be omitted in which event plate 144 acts as the fulcra. If the holes in the plate are one thirty-second of an inch larger than the pins 144 and 142, suflicient compression results.

Due to this pivoting tendency of pins 140 and 142, the inner extremities of said pins accommodated within the masonry structure act to compress the masonry structure thereby greatly increasing the effectiveness thereof.

More particularly, it will be noted that the disc 152 is in the shape of an inverted truncated cone, the peripheral surface of which inclines at an angle corresponding to the side surfaces of the pins 141) and 142. Surfaces 154 and 156 of disc 152 are arranged at an angle of about 22 /2 to the horizontal in order to correspond with the free extremities of the inclined pins.

According to the embodiment of the invention illusstrated in FIG. 5, there is contemplated a still further variation of the method and apparatus of the invention.

More particularly, the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5 comprises a first knee bracket fastened to an overhead masonry structure 172 and in cluding arms 174 and 176 respectively disposed in horizontal and vertical planes and rigidly connected at a right angle.

As in prior embodiments of the invention, there is provided an inclined sleeve 178 aifixed to the horizontal arm 174 by welding or the like and concentric with a bore 180 formed in the overhead structure 172.

A pin 182 is provided including a head 184 by means of which the said pin is driven into bore 180 for frictional engagement therein.

A second fastening member is provided in the form of a bolt 185 which is treadably accommodated in an expansion shield 188 accommodated within a vertical bore in overhead structure 172. The head in bore 186 sandwiches arm 174 against said overhead structure and cooperatively with pin 182 and the head 184 thereof holds the horizontal arm 174 firmly against the overhead structure.

In accordance with this last embodiment of the invention, there is further provided an angle support means 196 including a vertical arm 192 and a horizontal arm 194. Vertical arm 192 is in face-to-face relationship with said vertical arm 176 and the two are connected by a nut and bolt locking arrangement 1%.

The horizontal arm 194 is located beneath horizontal arm 174 and is preferably in horizontal relationship with respect thereto. An internally threaded sleeve 198 is mounted in vertical disposition directly beneath the head 184 of pin 182 and accommodates therein a vertical, externally threaded rod 200. This rod is threadably engaged within the sleeve 198 and adjusted so as to be in endwise engagement with pin 182 and, more particularly, the head 184 thereon. Rod 201) is adapted for supporting a load which, in accordance with the method of the invention, is suspended by conventional means from said rod.

According to the method of the invention relating to this embodiment, vertical and inclined bores are formed in the overhead structure 172 in correspondence with the holes provided in the horizontal arm 174 of bracket 170. Pin 182 is selected so as to be slightly larger in transverse dimensions than bore 180 and is driven home in the latter to be engaged frictionally within the same. Bolt 1% is threadably engaged with expansion shield 188 in the associated vertical bore and then angle 19! is connected to bracket 170. Thereupon the sleeve 198 is set to accommodate rod 200 which is threaded into the same and into endwise engagement with head 134 of pin 182, the rod 200' thereby resisting oblique movement of pin 182 out of bore 180.

In this embodiment of the invention as in the prior embodiments, the tendency of pin 182 to move downwardly in response to the application of a load to rod 200 is resolved into horizontal and vertical vectors, the horizontal vector of which is transmitted via horizontal arm 174 at right angles against bolt 186 which therefore receives the same in shear.

There have now been described five embodiments of the invention in association with each of which is contemplated an apparatus and a method. In each of the embodiments of the invention, there is contemplated the resolving of the movement of a pin or other such fastening member out of an inclined bore in an overhead structure into vertical and horizontal vector forces, the latter of which is applied at right angles to a further fastening member or the like so that the latter receives the horizontal force in shear. This technique adds greatly to the use of inclined fastening members and furthermore makes a use of vertically disposed fastening members which has not heretfore been contemplated.

According to one aspect of the invention, the transmission of the horizontal vector force is effected through the bracket itself to a vertically disposed fastening member, whereas in accordance witha furtheraspect of the invention the horizontal" vector force'is transmitted externally of the associated bracket. In some cases, ashas been illustrated, both the/bracket and a member external thereto may he employed to transmit the associated vector force. v a

In addition, a further aspect of the invention relates to engaging of elongated fastening members such as pins, bolts and so forth in endwise manner in order to 16S1St axial movement of such fastening members from the associated overhead structure. v 1

While reference has been madeabove to the provision hanger comprising-a horizontal plate inface-to-face relation with said overhead structure and provided with oppoof bores accommodating fastening members, it will be readily appreciated that the invention contemplates methods in which a fastening member is driven'home into a masonry structure or the like without the prior provision of bores in the latter. This, of course, depends'upon' whether or not'the structure to which connection is to be made will tolerate such an operation. a

In accordance with still-a further aspect of the invention, there is contemplated the control of strain patterns within supporting structures such as byplacing the sarne controllably under compressive stresses.

There will now be obvious to those skilled in the artmany modifications and variations of the structures andmethods set forth above. These modifications and varia-,

tions will not, however, depart from the scope of invention if defined by the following claims. What is claimed is:

the

1. For use withan overhead two oppositely inclined bores, an anchor hanger comprising a plate provided with oppositelyinclined holes concentric with said bores, pins extending through said holes and frictionally engaged in said bores, said pins including.

free extremities, a member depending from said plate between said pins, a disc freely displaceable onsaid member and having a periphery for engaging against and between said extremities andjmeans adjustableon said member for forcing said disc against said extremities.

2. Incombination with an overhead structure provided with two oppositely inclined bores, a hanger comprising a plate provided with oppositely inclined holes concentric with said bores, pins extending through said holes and frictionallyengaged in said bores, said pins including flat.

free extremities inclined at a predetermined angle to the horizontal, a vertical member detachably depending from structure provided with sitely inclined holes concentric with said bores, downwardly depending inclined sleeves on said plate concentric with and encircling said holes, pins extending through said sleeves and holes and frictionally engaged in said bores,

heads on said pins and abutting against said sleeves, said heads including flat free extremities inclined at about forty-five degrees to the horizontal, a vertical threaded bolt de'tachably depending from said plate midway between said heads, a truncated conical disc freely displaceable on said boit and having a base angle of about fortyfive degrees to provide an inclined periphery for engaging against and between the inclined extremities of said heads, and a' nut on saidbolt locking saiddisc against said extremities. e i V 5. F or useon an overhead structure, a hanger com- I prising mean-s provided with spaced holes, fastening mem- 'bers extending through said holes and engaged at an angle in said structure, said members including inclined extremities, a guide on said means between said extremities, .a retainer d-isplaceable on said guide and engaging against and between the inclined extremities, means locking said retainer against'said extremities, and means between the fastening members to urge the same apart.

' 6. In combination with an overhead structure -pr0- vided with two oppositely inclined bores, apparatus comprising a member provided with spaced holes corresponding to said bores, sleeves on said member encircling saidholes, fasteningdevices extending through said sleeves and holes and engaged in-said bores, said devices including free extremities," aguide on] said member between said devices, a retainerdisplaceable on said guide and having a periphery for, engaging against and between said extremities, means for locking said retainer against said extremities, and means :between the fastening devices to urge the same apart. V

7. An anchor "hanger comprising a plate provided with spaced holes, downwardly depending inclined sleeves on said plate encircling said holes, inclined pins extending through'said sleeves and holes, said pins including free extremities, means depending from said, plate between said plate between said pins, a truncated conical disc freely displaceable on said member and having a base angle equal 'to ,said predetermined angle to provide an. inclined periphery for engaging against and between the inclined extremities, and meansifor locking said disc against said extremities.

' 3. For use with an overhead masonry structure pro-.

vided with two oppositelyinclined bores arranged at about forty-five degrees to the ho'rizontal, an anchor hanger comprising a horizontal plate in face-to-face relation with said overhead structure and provided with oppositely inc'lined holes concentric with'said bores, downwardly depending inclined sleeves on'said plate concentric with and encircling said holes, pins extending through said sleeves and holes and frictionally engaged in said bores, heads on said pins and abutting against said sleeves, said heads including flat free extremities inclined at about forty-five degrees to the horizontal, a vertical member depending from said plate midway betweensaid heads, a truncated conical disc freely displaceable on said vertical member and having a base angle of'aboutforty-five degrees to provide an inclined periphery for engaging against andibetween the inclined extremitiesof said heads, andrneans on said vertical member locking said disc against said extremities. a I a 4. In combinationwith an overhead masonry structure provided with two oppositely inclined bores arranged at about forty-five degrees to the horizontal, an anchor a vertical threaded 'bolt depending from said plate between .said pins, a disc freely displaceable on said bolt and having an inclined periphery for engaging against 7 and between the said plus, a nut on said bolt locking said engaging said pins to urge the same apart.

disc against said pins, and means between and laterally 9.;In combination with an, overhead masonry structure provided with two oppositely inclined bores arranged at an angle to the horizontal, an anchor hanger comprising a horizontal plate in face-to-face relation with said overhead -s tructure and provided with oppositely inclined holes concentric with said bores, downwardly depending inclined sleeveson said, plate concentric with and encircling said holes, pins extendingthrough said sleeves and holes and frictionally engaged in said bores, said pins including flat free extremities inclined at said angle to the horizontal, a' vertical threaded bolt detachably defrlom said plarte midway between saidpins, a

disc freely displaceable on said bolt and having an inclined periphery for engagin-gagainst and between the References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Bulkley 50-465 Ette 248216 Hogan 5022 Ziiferer 50478 X Eastman 248216 X Mott 855 Thomas et a1. 6145 Dempsey 6145 Christoffersen et a1. 15169 X FOREIGN PATENTS Australia.

France.

France.

Great Britain.

JACOB L. N-ACKENOFF, Primary Examiner. HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Examiner. 

1. FOR USE WITH AN OVERHEAD STRUCTURE PROVIDED WITH TWO OPPOSITELY INCLINED BORES, AN ANCHOR HANGER COMPRISING A PLATE PROVIDED WITH OPPOSITELY INCLINED HOLES CONCENTRIC WITH SAID BORES, PINS EXTENDING THROUTH SAID HOLES AND FRICTIONALLY ENGAGED IN SAID BORES, SAID PINS INCLUDING FREE EXTREMITIES, A MEMBER DEPENDING FROM SAID PLATE BETWEEN SAID PINS, A DISC FREELY DISPLACEABLE ON SAID MEM- 